South Korean officials have dismissed an apparent offer from North Korea of unconditional talks to ease tensions. Officials at the Unification Ministry in Seoul said it was not a serious proposal for dialogue and suggested the offer was part of a propaganda campaign. The United States also responded coolly saying the North Must first indicate it was serious about ending its provocation. The US envoy Stephen Bosworth is in China for regional talks. He is looking for regional support following a North Korean artillery attack on a South Korean island last November.